NMN and NAD supplementation

[Daniel]

Great question. And you’re right: some studies suggest that NAD+ boosters like NMN and NR can affect cholesterol levels. But affect can mean two things: some research shows a drop in cholesterol, others show a possible increase, depending on the form, dose, and combination.

I’ll break it down for you.

⚠ Where the concern might have come from:

There was a human study where people took a combination of nicotinamide riboside (NR) and pterostilbene… and over time, their LDL cholesterol went up.

If you’ve never heard of NR: it’s similar to NMN. Both are precursors to NAD+, a molecule your body needs to make energy, repair DNA, and keep cells healthy. They both help your body produce more NAD+, but NMN is one step closer in the process, which might make it slightly more direct or efficient in some tissues.
(Study: Nature Scientific Reports, 2019)

This study could easily confuse people into thinking that NR on its own raises LDL cholesterol.

But in the same study, there was a group that took NR alone. This group showed no rise in LDL, so it’s really the combination that’s the issue.

What’s pterostilbene and why did it raise LDL Cholesterol?

Pterostilbene is a natural antioxidant found in blueberries. It’s a chemical cousin of resveratrol (the stuff in red wine people say is heart-healthy).

In supplements, it’s added to:

– Support brain health

– Activate anti-aging genes like sirtuins

– Cross the blood-brain barrier more easily than resveratrol

But, and here’s the catch, at higher doses, pterostilbene might interfere with how your liver clears LDL cholesterol. That’s likely why it caused a bump in LDL in that study.

What about NMN?

In a 2023 clinical trial, people took 1,000 mg of NMN per day for a month. The result?

• LDL cholesterol dropped by ~19 mg/dL

• Total cholesterol also dropped

(Study reference: PubMed ID: 36740954)

So, NMN alone may actually support healthier cholesterol levels, especially in people with some extra weight or early metabolic issues.

I hope this answer makes things clearer and takes away possible concerns

Daniel